Cleveland Indians win 4-2 on home runs by Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor

Indians 4, Padres 2

There was no TV coverage of today's 4-2 Indians win over the Padres, and so I haven't seen Francisco Lindor's 3rd inning inside-the-park home run. All I know is it came on a "fly ball to center field." In my imagination, that fly ball was so beautifully struck that San Diego fancy new outfield of Justin Upton, Wil Myers, and Matt Kemp was too awestruck to even move, allowing Lindor to make his way around the bases without any fuss.

Perhaps that's not how it happened, I suppose we'll never know.

Carlos Santana also hit a home run, his a more typical shot over the right field wall, his second long ball of the spring. In addition to those two rounding the bases, David Murphy also had a fine afternoon at the plate, collecting a walk and two singles, one of which drove in what proved to be the game-winning run. Brandon Moss hit a double, and more notably played a few innings in right field. I doubt he made anyone forget about Roberto Clemente, but he seems to have acquitted himself well enough not to raise any eyebrows. That obviously isn't saying much, but this was his first time out there during a game in months, and I'm happy to know his hip didn't break or anything.

On the pitching side of things, it was Trevor Bauer's day for the Tribe. In the 1st he allowed a run to score, but it was largely Lonnie Chisenhall's fault. Lonnie misplayed a ball, allowing a man to reach, and so the doule Bauer gave up two batters later led to a run. Bauer struck out 4 in 5 innings, and didn't walk anyone. He's been very good about keeping runners off the bases so far this month, which is great to see.

Unfortunately, same as in his previous outing, Bauer looked very good until his last inning of work. Last time though, he gave up three home runs in that final frame, whereas this time it was only one. Strikeouts and walks are more meaningful spring numbers than anything else, so I'm pretty happy with Trevor's line today, though he'll have to do better a keeping the ball in the park if he's going to be a successful #3 starter for the Indians this year.

Bryan Shaw worked a spotless inning, something he hadn't done yet this spring, so that was good to see as well. Marc Rzepczynski Scott Downs, and C.C. Lee also pitched a scoreless frame apiece.

The Indians will travel to face the Royals on Monday, getting themselves a look at KC's top pitcher, Yordano Ventura. Shaun Marcum will start for the Tribe, getting a chance to keep himself in the mix for the final spot in the starting rotation, though an offer to head to Columbus seems the more likely eventual turn of events.